The BBC may be cutting back on sports rights, but Test Match Special radio coverage of England's home cricket internationals has been secured until at least 2019.

On Thursday, the BBC announced it has agreed a new six-year deal for radio rights to England's international cricket matches, including two home Ashes Test series against Australia and exclusive coverage of all other domestic Test and one-day matches during the period.

The BBC has renewed its contract with the England and Wales Cricket Board, securing ball-by-ball commentary on the corporation's radio services until 2019. This extends the BBC's existing four-year radio deal, which was due to expire at the end of the 2013 cricket season.

Under the deal, the BBC has secured the radio rights to highlights in the coming years including two more home Ashes series – in 2015 and 2019 – as well as tours by India in 2014 and South Africa in 2017.

The BBC will have live and exclusive coverage of all England's home Test matches and one-day and T20 internationals during the six-year period.

"Test Match Special, now in its 55th year, is one of the most treasured programmes on the BBC with its unique mix of expert commentary, insight, humour and entertainment," said Barbara Slater, director of BBC Sport.

"In a new digital era, the programme and its accompanying download have never been more popular with its audience."

David Collier, ECB chief executive, said: "This is excellent news for all cricket lovers. Test Match Special's coverage together with the regular summaries and updates provided by BBC Radio 5 live will play a significant role in promoting cricket from the playground to the Test arena."

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